Draft control



E. A. FIELD, 'JR

DRAFT CONTROL June 5, 1951 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Nov. 15, 1947 INVENTOR. Edward 4772/4 J/I ATTORNEY,

June 5, 1951 E. A. FIELD, JR 2,555,687

DRAFT CONTROL Filed Nov.- 13, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INKENTOR. Eda/0rd 471 /0 cf/i BCYWW XMQ ATTORNEX Patented June 5, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DRAFT CONTROL Edward A. Field, J12, Mendota, Ill.

Application November 13, 1947, Serial No. 785,694

1 This invention relates to improvements in draft regulators.

The main objects of the invention are: First, to provide a draft regulator or control which is simple and economical in structure and at the same time has a wide range of adaptability.

Second, to provide a draft control which is particularly well adapted for-domestic use and which may be readily adjusted for and installed in vertical flues or horizontal flues by relatively unskilled work men.

Third, to provide a draft control of the type described including a counter weighted gate in which the turning torque on the gate may be readily adjusted for the draft conditions in a horizontal flue and may be independently adjusted for the draft conditions in a vertical flue. Fourth, to provide a structure in which the parts are simple and economically and easily fabricated and assembled and disassembled should occasion require.

Objects relating to details and economiesof the invention will appear in the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

Apr'eferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 'is'aside elevation of a heating unit, a flue therefor and a control housing in the flue, the control housing containing my improved regulator.

Fig. 2 is front elevation of the draft regulator in the open end of the control housing.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in side elevation partially broken away and in section on the "line on the line 6- 6 of Fig.3 showin agate counterweight and its conn'ection'to the control gate.

Fig. *1 is a fragmentary view in section on the line "'l'l of Fig.2, showing a gate counterweight andthe means of supporting the same.

Fig. 8 is -a front elevation of a supporting bracket for one of the counterweights;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary 'vi'e'win section 'on'the "line 99 (if Fig 2, showing me am 'foi positioning 8 Claims. (Cl. 236-45) gate as shown in Fig. 2.

a hinge-pin clamping plate relativeto 'a control gate. a

Fig. 10 is a view in section on the line Ill-41! of Fig. 2 showing means for positioning a counterweight supporting bracket relative to the control ate.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a modified form of supporting bracket.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an improveddraft control or regulator of the counterweight gate type, said regulator being attachable to a smoke flue I of any type of heating unit such as is shown at 2. In the illustrated embodiment the regulator comprises a cylindrical sheet metal control housing 3 opening to the flue and adapted to fit against the side of the flue and secured thereto in any approved manner as is well known in the art.

At its outer end the housing 3 telescopingly receives an annular stampedsheet metal gate frame 4 provided with a radially outwardly flange 5 adapted to abut the outer end of the housing 3. A screw 6 holds the frame in place. The gate frame has a gate opening 7 therein, preferably straight sided at H and having projecting in- "the gate and the plate or sheet metal member I I.

This member is recessed at l2 to receive the pin and is spot welded at 13 to the gate. The gate is provided with spaced cut-out openings [4 for receiving the protuberances, or projections IS on the member 11 as shown in Figs. 2 and 9. This facilitates accurate positioningof these parts rel- "ative to each before being spot welded to each other.

The ends of the hinge pin ID projects beyond the side edges of the gate and are rotatingly mounted on the lower edge walls: of the recesses 16 in the side flanges 8 of the gate housing, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The plate II is providedwith 'a rearwardly projecting flange H as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. This flange is provided at an end thereof with 'a projection or finger-like member l8 projecting into an opening IS in one of gate housing flanges 8 as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The lower edge 20 of the opening "I9 stoppingly engages the finger 18 to limit inward swinging movement of the gate as shown "in "Fig. 4. The finger or projecting member 18 may be duplicated on the opposite sides of the The upper edge portion 2| of the-gate is inclined outwardly to prolows.

vide increased pressure against the upper portion of the gate and a more stable movement of the gate when in widely opened positions. A rib 22 projects inwardly from the edge of the gate and extends entirely around the same to reinforce and stiffen the gate and to permit the same to be made of lighter stock. To additionally reinforce the gate in the portions thereof subject to the greatest stress the rib or flange 22 has the portions 23 thereof along the opposite vertical side edges of the gate of greater inward depth.

In order to properly balance the gate and to offset any variations in the weights of the component parts thereof, a weight 24 is mounted-on the inner side of the gate by an eccentrically disgate. By turning the weight on the rivet the gate is properly balanced. The rivet fixedly secures the weight to the gate. This adjustment is made before the gate leaves the factory. Thereafter no ,furthermanipulationof this weight is necessary.

To provide for proper adjustment of the gate for different draft conditions weight 26 is adjustably mounted upon the outer side of the gate. The means for so mounting this weight is as fol- A v-shaped bracket 2! is provided, comprising angularly disposed arms 28 and 29 having wing-like members 35 and 3! respectively at the outer ends thereof spot welded at 32 or other convenient location to the gate. To accurately position the bracket 2'! relative to the gate 9 for this welding operation the wings 30 and 3| are provided with projections or protuberances 33 fittingly disposed in the cut-out holes or openings 34 of the gate, as shown in Fig..l0. The protuberances and openings may be readily formed by any suitable stamping operation. The arms 28 and 29 are provided with slots 35 and 36 .respectively, each of which is adapted to receive a carriage bolt 3! threadly connected at 33 to the,

weight 26 as shown in Fig. '7. The squared portion 39 of the bolt is slidably but non-rotatably received in the slot. The arm of the bracket is clamped between the head 40 of the bolt and the weight 25, to permit adjustment of the weight longitudinally of the slot. As is well known in the art it is desirable to provide a different balance for the gate when the unit is applied on a vertical pipe or flue as shown in Fig. 1, as compared to installation on a horizontal flue, not shown. For proper balance of the gate when installed on a. vertical flue the bolt 3'! is inserted through the slot 33 and the bolt and the weight adjustably clampingly engage the arm 29 of the bracket 2?. For proper balance of the gate when associated with a horizontal flue the bolt is inserted in the slot 35 and the bolt andweight adjustably clampingly engage the arm 28 of the bracket. It will be observed as the weight 26 is adjusted along towards the center or apex 4| of the bracket it moves both outwards and downward. It will also be noted that the slot 35 on the left extends outward and downward at a different angle from that of the slot 36 on the right, the slot 35 being inclined downwardly more than the slot 33 and extending closer the apex 4| of thebracket. This permits the-weight 26 when associated with the slot 35 to be adjusted a greater distance from the gate 9 than when associated with slot 36, so that when the control is installed on a horizontal flue the maximum. draft position of the weight from the gate is greater than when the control is installed on a vertical flue. In this way a different balance is obtained so that the performance olfthe control is good regardless of Whether posed bolt or rivet near the lower part of the 4 the flue pipe extends horizontally or vertically. Each of the arms 28 and 29 is provided with indicia 42 to indicate positions for the weight for low, medium and high draft conditions. The turning torque on the gate,on adjustment of the weight along the slot 35 varies differently from the turning torques on the gate, on correspondingly adjusting the weight along slot 36, adjustment of the weight along the slot 35 adapting the regulator for horizontal flue and adjustment along the slot 36 adapting the regulator for a vertical flue.

The above described control is an' exceedingly simple one and very quickly, easily and economically produced. It is fool-proof and there are no parts requiring considerable attention and care in use. The control may be quickly and readily adjusted for installation on either a horizontal or vertical flue, and when so installed is very sensitive and accurate in operation and may be readily and accurately adjusted for the draft conditions desired in the flue on which it is installed.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. Il provides one definite draft setting when installed on a horizontal flue and another definite draft setting when installed on a vertical flue. To provide for such definte draft settings the arms 28 and 29 of the. bracket 2! are provided with openings 35I and 36| respectively. Each opening is square and fittingly receives the square portion 39 of the bolt 31 to prevent rotation of .the bolt in the opening when the counterweight 26 is turned to clampingly engage the arm between the same and the head of the bolt. The bolt and weight when associated with the opening 35I provides a certain definite turning torque on the gate which adapts the regulator for the draft conditions of a horizontal flue, and when associated with the opening 36! provides a different definiteturning torque on the gate which adapts the regulator for the draft conditions of a vertical flue. For a horizontal flue installation the draft setting is slightly higher than for a vertical flue installation, a setting of approximate- 1y .01 inch higher giving good results. The results will be much the same as with the adjustable control, except that in each case there will be only one definite setting for a horizontal pipe and one for a vertical pipe thus giving the exact drafts specified by each individual customer. Such controls will be made on special order to suit each particular heater.

I have illustrated and described my invention in embodiments thereof which I have found very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what'I claim as new and desire to secure by Letter thereof secured to the gate and having intermediate said ends arms projecting outwardly from said gate and towards each other and integrally united at their outer ends, each of said arms being provided with an outwardly extending slot inclining downwardly as the same extends outwardly, one of said slots being inclined downwardly more than the other slot, the outer end of the last named slot being disposed at a greater distance from the plane of said gate than the outer end of the other slot, and a counterweight selectively adjustable along either slot adapting the regulator to be adjusted for the draft conditions of either a horizontal or a vertical flue.

2. In a draft regulator comprising an open ended control housing, a gate frame disposed concentrically adjacent the open end of the housing, a control gate mounted in said gate frame, said gate being swingably mounted on a horizontal axis, a bracket having opposite ends thereof secured to the gate and having intermediate said ends arms projecting outwardly from said gate and towards each other and integrally united at their outer ends, each of said arms being provided with an outwardly extending slot inclining downwardly as the same extends outwardly, one of said slots being inclined downwardly more than the other slot, the outer end of the last named slot being disposed at a greater distance from the plane of said gate than the outer end of the other slot, and a counterweight selectively adjustable along either slot adapting the regulator to be adjusted for the draft conditions of either a horizontal or a vertical flue.

3. In a draft regulator, an open ended control housing, a control gate adjacent the open end of said housing and pivotally mounted relative to said housing, a member projecting outwardly from said gate and provided with a slot, a counter weight, a bolt provided with a head at one end and threads at its opposite end, said bolt projecting through said slot and adjustable longitudinally thereof and being threadedly connected with said counterweight, said bolt having a portion thereof engaging the edges of the slot shaped to prevent rotation of the bolt within the slot, said member being clampingly engaged between the head of said bolt and counterweight, said counterweight constituting manually turnable means disposed exteriorly of the control housing for releasably engaging the bolt in the slot.

4. In a draft regulator an open ended control housing, a control gate adjacent the open end of the housing and swingably mounted relative thereto, two guideways extending outwardly from said gate, said guideways being inclined downwardly as the same extend outwardly, one of said guideways being inclined downwardly more than the other guideway, the outer end of the last mentioned guideway being disposed at a greater distance from the plane of the gate than the outer end of the other guideway, a counterweight selectively adjustable along either guideway.

5. In a draft regulator an open ended control housing, a control gate adjacent the open end of the housing and swingably mounted relative to the housing, two guideways extending outwardly from said gate, said guideways being inclined downwardly as the same extend outwardly, one of said guideways being inclined downwardly more than the other guideway, a, counterweight selectively adjustable along either guideway.

6. In a draft regulator, an open ended control housing, a control gate adjacent the open end of the housing and swingably mounted relative thereto, two guideways extending outwardly from the plane of said gate, and a common counterweight for both guideways selectively adjustable along either guide-way, one guideway extending outwardly from the plane of the gate and outwardly from the pivotal axis of the gate a greater distance than the other guideway, the closing torque on the gate produced by said counterweight along the first mentioned guideway being generally greater than the closing torque produced by said counterweight at corresponding positions of adjustment along said other guideway, thereby adapting the draft regulator for adjustment for draft conditions of either a horizontal or a .vertical flue.

7. In a draft regulator, an open ended control housing, a pivotally mounted control gate adjacent the open end of said housing, a member projecting outwardly from said gate and provided with a non-circular opening, a counterweight, a bolt provided with a head at one end and threads at its opposite end, said bolt projecting through said opening and being threadly connected with said counterweight, said bolt fittingly engaging said non-circular opening to prevent rotation of the bolt within the opening, said member being clampingly engaged between the head of the bolt and the counterweight, said counterweight constituting manually turnable means disposed exteriorly of the control housing for releasably engaging the bolt in the opening.

8. In a draft regulator an open end control housing, a pivotally mounted control gate adjacent the open end of said housing, a bracket having the opposite ends thereof secured to said gate and having arms intermediate said ends projecting outwardly from said gate and towards each other and rigidly connected to each other at their outer ends, each of said arms having a non-circular opening therein, a counterweight having a threaded opening, a bolt provided with a head at one end thereof and threads at its opposite end engageable in the counterweight threaded opening, said bolt being selectively engageable with either of said non-circular openings and fittingly engaging the same to prevent rotation of the bolt therein, the head of the bolt and the counterweight clampingly engaging either of said arms therebetween, said counterweight constituting manually turnable meansdisposed exteriorly of the control housing for releasably engaging the bolt in the opening.

EDWARD A. FIELD, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 828,033 Lachman Aug. 7, 1906 1,848,850 Sturgis Mar. 8, 1932 2,179,940 Lawson Nov. 14, 1939 2,180,622 Vincent Nov. 21, 1939 2,291,018 Bachmann July 28, 1942 2,335,740 Cole Nov. 30, 1943 2,388,253 Dady Nov. 6, 1945 2,435,166 Stephenson Jan. 27, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 341,072 Great Britain Jan. 5, 1931 

